Changes to the machinery of government involved ‘wholly inadequate’ consultation
In 'The Cabinet Office and the Centre of Government’ (HL 30) the House of Lords Constitution Committee suggest that power within the cabinet has become increasingly centralised to the Prime Minister and recommend that structures of accountability should be reformed to mirror that change.
The Committee expresses support for the principles of collective responsibility but recognise that increasingly the Cabinet Office has become responsible for overseeing the delivery of government policy across departments. They stress that accountability mechanisms within the UK constitution are not set up to reflect this new reality with parliamentary and select committee scrutiny based on individual Ministers reporting to Parliament for activities within their departments
Changes to the funding of the police service are considered by Home Affairs Committee
In 'Police Service Strength' (HC 50) the Home Affairs Committee says that, faced with the prospect of funding cuts, the police service will have to fundamentally re-think the way in which it provides back-office functions in order to support the front-line. The Committee says across the board the service needs more support from Government to allow the service to find new ways of maximising service levels and efficiency, such as involving the private sector, or exploring force mergers.
Although figures show overall rises in both the number of police officers and the number of police staff employed across the service over the past five years, this varied significantly across forces with 13 forces reporting a reduction over the same period. On the basis of provisional financial information from the Government some forces are planning to cut officer numbers in the next financial year.
Increase chlamydia testing amongst 15-24 year olds recommends report
'Young People's Sexual Health: the National Chlamydia Screening Programme’ (HC 283) examines the delivery of the Chlamydia Screening Programme, the efficiency of services and the Department of Health's approach to managing a national initiative in a devolved National Health Service. Chlamydia is the most commonly diagnosed bacterial sexually transmitted infection and the prevalence of this infection is increasing, especially in young people under the age of 25.
The Programme was launched in 2003: it is overseen by the Health Protection Agency (the Agency) and delivered locally by the 152 Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) in England. Since the Programme's launch an estimated £100 million has been spent but the Department does not yet know what effect this has had on reducing the prevalence of the infection.
Report examines the British film and television industries
'The British Film & Television Industries - Decline or Opportunity?’ (HL 37-I) is the first report from the House of Lords Select Committee on Communications of the 2009-10 session. The report looks at how these industries have developed, the challenges they are currently facing and what practical help might be provided to enable them to develop further.
The film and television industries make an important contribution to the British economy. They contribute to national income and employment and make a net contribution to exports which has the capacity to grow.
Green Paper sets out measures to help families cope in times of difficulty
The demographic and social changes of the last 30 or 40 years have been profound and have led to much greater diversity in family patterns. However the evidence is clear that it is strong, stable relationships between adults in the home - parents, grandparents and other caring adults - and among all these adults and the children in a family, that have the biggest impact on children's happiness and healthy development.
'Support for All: The Families and Relationships Green Paper’ (Cm. 7787) sets out a wide range of measures to support all families as they bring up their children and to help families cope with times of stress and difficulty.
NAO reveals that the Decent Homes Programme has fallen short of targets
It is estimated that over a million social homes have been improved by the Department for Communities and Local Government's Decent Homes Programme, which aims to improve the condition of homes for social housing tenants. The Department has also provided funding to improve conditions for vulnerable households in private sector accommodation.
The Programme has made progress and, as of April 2009, 86% of homes in the social sector were classed as decent. The Programme has also brought wider benefits such as improved housing management, tenant involvement and employment opportunities.
Raise targets for reducing waste production recommends report
Every year some 330 million tonnes of waste are produced in the UK. The direct costs of managing this waste - £2.5 billion annually for English household waste alone - are dwarfed by the costs of using new resources to replace discarded materials.
'Waste Strategy for England 2007' (HC 230-I) recommends that the Government should, as a priority, set out a timetable with significantly raised targets for reducing the total amount of waste produced.
Report reveals poor value for money in dementia services
The Department of Health has developed an ambitious and comprehensive strategy for dementia, 'Living Well with Dementia: A National Dementia Strategy (February 2009)'. Yet, despite the Department stating that dementia is now a national priority, it has not been given the levers or urgency normally expected for such a priority and there is a risk that value for money will remain poor unless these weaknesses are addressed urgently.
Dementia was not included in the Department's tier 1 Vital Signs indicators for the NHS through which it monitors performance. Other levers such as joined-up commissioning and comprehensive performance information are not yet fully developed. Achieving transformation in the proposed five years will be very challenging.
Curb alcohol consumption by rising prices urges the Health Committee
This report 'Alcohol' (HC 151-I) calls for a radical change in the Government's approach to the health and social problems caused by the rising consumption of alcohol in England and Wales.
Consumption per head has nearly tripled since 1947, and 31% of men and 21% of women are drinking hazardously (more than 21 units per week) or harmfully (more than 50 units per week). It is estimated alcohol abuse in England and Wales kills 30-40,000 people a year and costs the economy £55bn. Excessive consumption also leads to serious accidents, disorder, violence and crime.
House of Commons should reflect our diverse society recommends Speaker’s Conference
The House of Commons agreed unanimously in November 2008 to establish this Speaker's Conference. The Conference was asked to look into the reasons why women, members of the black and minority ethnic communities and disabled people are under-represented in the House of Commons, and to recommend ways in which the situation can be improved. Issues relating to the representation of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities were also considered.
Currently most MPs are white, male, middle-aged and middle-class: the House of Commons should reflect more closely the diverse society in which we live.
Roles of agents for accountability in English school system considered
'School Accountability (HC 88-I)', considers the roles of a variety of different agents for accountability in the English school system and firstly examines self-evaluation, self-improvement partners and local authorities. Schools have increasingly been encouraged to formalise the self-evaluation process as part of their improvement strategy. They are assisted in their self-evaluation and improvement processes by School Improvement Partners (SIPs) who are appointed by the local authority. School provision is commissioned by local authorities, who also have a remit to monitor local schools' performance.
Highways maintenance examined
The Highways Agency's letting and management of maintenance contracts, known as 'Managing Agent Contractor' (MAC), largely follows best practice and offers the potential to secure value for money. Since its introduction there has been greater certainty over delivery of maintenance schemes within budgets and to timescales. Journey time reliability on the strategic road network has steadily improved since summer 2007 suggesting that Agency interventions have contributed to the improvement.